A Few Dollars At The Food Pantry

Every month there is a guy that comes to the Community of Hope Ministries food pantry. Each person is allowed to come once a month, but there is something that makes this guy stand out. Every time he comes to the pantry, he makes sure to find my boss and give her a couple of dollars. As far as I know, he is the only person that comes through our pantry and does this. My boss has told me that in the past she has insisted that he keep the money but he wouldn’t leave without her accepting it.

What this guy does is so cool to me. He comes to the food pantry because he could use some help paying for his groceries. Yet each time he insists on giving back what he can. He doesn’t have to and we don’t ask or encourage people to do it. It reminds me of the story in Mark 12:41-44.

“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

When I see this guy come through our pantry and give money it is so humbling. To see his incredible heart moves me. During my short time at COHM, I’ve seen some awesome donation come in. There have been people who have donated thousands of dollars. But none have moved me more than seeing this guy give a couple of dollars at the food pantry. Not to take anything away from the other donations because they are amazing and enable us to do what we do, but I am challenged by what that man does.

Giving is something I am very passionate about. I try to give financially as much as I can, but this year God has challenged me to get in the trenches more. One of my goals this year is to volunteer more of my time. I volunteer at church, but I am not going to count that. And yes I oversee a food pantry, but I can’t consider work something I volunteer for. I haven’t decided how or where, but I plan on getting plugged into a ministry that is doing great things. I can’t wait to see all the cool things God shows me through those times.